As many as 60 suspects, including traders at Watt Market, Calabar, were reportedly arrested by police operatives on Wednesday.
The suspects were reported to have descended on a police constable who attempted to impound a motorcycle which had stepped on his leg while on duty.
The incident happened on Wednesday at Goldie by Etim Edem Lane, Calabar.
A patrol team from the Atakpa Police Division acted on information from a concerned citizen and immediately moved to the scene to rescue the constable.
The victim narrated his ordeal: “When I attempted to impound a motorcycle which had earlier accidentally stepped on my leg while I was on duty on 11 September 2026, the rider had escaped.
“I was confronted and assaulted by some roadside traders who aided the rider to escape.
“During the melee, my riot gun was tampered with, my uniform and shoes were torn, and my Samsung X10 mobile phone was taken.”
He also alleged that pepper and egg were poured on his face and body, while the motorcycle was forcibly taken from him, enabling the rider to escape. The officer stated that he could identify some of those involved.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, directed the Command to urgently gather intelligence, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable was arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The PRO, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed that on Wednesday morning, the Command’s patrol and surveillance teams at Atakpa Police Division were reinforced by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), who arrested the 60 suspects in the area.
“The suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons who may have participated in the incident.”
Normalcy has been restored at Watt Market, while security monitoring continues.
60 arrested in Calabar market for allegedly manhandling police constable